Exclusive Podcast Interview

Former Secretary of State Shultz Highlights Reagan's Prudence on Environment,
Cautions About America's 'Very Unsatisfactory Energy Situation'

August 2, 2010

President Ronald Reagan protected the atmosphere from risky pollution, even in the face of some scientific uncertainty, because "it was the president's view that we should take out an insurance policy," former Secretary of State George Shultz said in a podcast that touched on the parallels between the ozone depletion issue of Reagan's time and today's climate change debate.
 
Shultz spoke on a podcast sponsored by Republicans for Environmental Protection, whose "What Would Reagan Do" campaign has highlighted the 40th president's environmental record, including his prudent decision to push through the Montreal Protocol safeguarding the atmosphere from chemicals depleting its protective ozone layer.
 
A short video clip and the full podcast can be accessed at the following links:

Video

Podcast

Reagan balanced scientific uncertainties with the dangerous consequences for America if the atmosphere were left unprotected and the most severe consequences of ozone depletion took place.
 
"In President Reagan's mind, he weighed whatever uncertainties there were about the emergence of this phenomenon with the consequences if it were to happen, and once it happens, in this case, it is very difficult to reverse," Shultz said.
 
In the same way that Reagan viewed the Montreal Protocol as a necessary insurance policy, Shultz said it's important for the U.S. today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "From all I can see, there is a real problem here that is potentially severe. The longer you wait to get going, the more difficult it's going to be," he said.
 
Technology will be the key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change, as it was when President Reagan grappled with ozone depletion, Shultz said.
 
"We ought to be promoting research and development in this area and looking for technologies that will give us breakthroughs. That's where the game changers will come from," Shultz said.
 
The former Secretary of State cautioned that we currently "have a very unsatisfactory energy situation," and pointed out that we are paying a price in terms of our national security and the health of our climate.
 
It's important to act as prudently today as Reagan did when faced with the threat of ozone depletion. "The essence of President Reagan was, he thought deeply about issues and he developed a view about them, then he stayed with that view," Shultz recalled.
 
Consistent with the stewardship ethic at the heart of true conservatism, Reagan valued nature, Shultz recalled. On trips to his beloved Rancho del Cielo in the Santa Ynez Mountains of California's central coast, Reagan spent much time outdoors. He would "breathe in the fresh air. Look at the endless horizon. It was the natural instinct for him to value what he saw around him," Shultz said.
 
Shultz said a powerful statement that Reagan made in 1984 summed up his views about the importance of conservation and stewardship:
 
"If we've learned any lessons during the past few decades, perhaps the most important is that preservation of our environment is not a partisan challenge; it's common sense. Our physical health, our social happiness, and our economic well-being will be sustained only by all of us working in partnership as thoughtful, effective stewards of our natural resources."

(Click here to read other Reagan quotes about environmental stewardship.)